11 new emerging leaders have graduated from this year’s Emerging Leaders Programme (ELP).
Second year in the running, ELP is an annual flagship capability building programme for prospective co-operative employees organised by the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF). Members of co-operatives and representatives from their Committee of Management are also eligible. This year’s ELP saw eight co-operatives coming on-board.
“Developing the leadership pipeline within the Singapore Co-operative Movement has been something on our minds for a while,” said Mr Shareef Abdul Jaafar, the second deputy chairperson on SNCF’s executive council and the one of the masterminds behind ELP. “ELP is meant to help these prospective leaders upgrade themselves so that they can better empower their members and team.”
22 emerging leaders have since graduated from the programme, which was first established in 2023. SNCF wishes to nurture 100 emerging leaders in the next few years.
From overseas networking to informal mentoring, and more
The emerging leaders were all nominated by their respective co-operatives to be part of the transformative experience.
Between March and July, they have gotten mentoring from industry leaders and been given assignments to acquire new competencies to develop their capabilities and meet with fellow co-operators to expand their network within the Singapore Co-operative Movement.
The 11 emerging leaders first began their journey at a short overseas leadership bootcamp in Batam, Indonesia. There, they participated in a series of training sessions developed by SNCF and an institute of higher learning Republic Polytechnic (RP).
At the boot camp, the emerging leaders also got to hear from SNCF EXCO member Ms Raen Lim, the group vice president of San Fransisco-based technology firm Splunk Inc. In May this year, they heard from the nation’s former manpower minister Lim Swee Say on how good leadership development is key to the growth of co-operatives.
Come November, these emerging leaders will make their way to Penang, Malaysia, where they will network with leaders and management teams of various co-operatives at SNCF’s Annual Co-operative Leaders’ Conference 2024.
Three unique proposals
As part of their training curriculum, the emerging leaders had to ideate a solution to tackle a real-world problem they or their co-operative may face on the ground. To do so, they were split into different groups, tapping on one another’s expertise to brainstorm solutions. Following which, they presented their proposals to a panel comprising educational professionals and representatives from SNCF.
For instance, one group wanted to improve the visibility and demand of its co-operative’s house brand products. Putting the problem-definition template into practice, the members did competitor analysis and market surveys to contextualise the problem before coming up with a re-branding exercise to improve the look of the suite of products and to emphasise that house brand products are of quality too.
In another, retired police officers became the group’s intended target audience to generate impact. This group wanted to enhance the awareness of the breadth of benefits the retired police officers can enjoy even after they retire. Keeping sustainability in mind, the group ideated an e-book detailing perks offered by the co-operative, including its signature pre-retirement or career transitioning support, and detailed the distribution channels to do so. This is on top of the existing marketing outreach.
The last group wanted to resolve the perennial problem faced by many co-operatives: attracting and retaining young employees. Having tapped on research by the youth wing of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Young NTUC, they identified what youths, specifically the Gen Zs and young millennials, look for in a job as well as where they consume information. The group’s proposal is a two-parter that first include digitalising processes within the co-operative to keep up with the times, and then, leveraging podcasts to shout out about the perks of working within a co-operative.
What some of the emerging leaders have to say?
Having heard good things from the programme alumni and fellow colleague Mr Ang Beng Wee, who participated in the inaugural ELP last year, Ms Wendy Kirsten Yoong of Singapore Prison Service Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society joined this year’s ELP excited and eager to learn.
“As leaders, we need to have empathy to understand our team's or members’ needs and the differing perspectives,” she said on the quintessential skills a leader ought to possess. “Learning to step into the shoes of others help us make better decisions and judgments.”
On ELP, she added: “I enjoyed learning from my peers, all of whom are leaders in their own rights in the different co-ops. The programme has given me so many ways to practise, whether it is through SWOT analysis or SCAMPER tool, and improve these skills.”
Ms Farhana Binte Nordin of AUPE Credit Co-operative has learnt to identify her leadership style. “I am someone who wants to lift the team up. I want my team and I to grow collectively,” she said on how she leads in the co-operative. “I get to interact with leaders with different leadership styles at ELP and that is eye-opening.”
“We made some good friends in the last couple of months. It is very inspiring to hear their stories and how they work in their individual co-operatives,” said Mr Kharthick Gangatharan of TCC Credit Co-operative. He found the problem-solving techniques he picked up from ELP most helpful when solutioning problems.
He added: “I came with an open mind and the topics and models I've learned here have definitely met my expectations. I'm excited to bring these insights back to my team and become a better leader.”
The 11 emerging leaders are:
1. Lim Shao Juan (AUPE General Services Co-operative)
2. Farhana Binte Nordin (AUPE Credit Co-operative)
3. Patricia Yoe (NTUC Enterprise Nexus Co-operative)
4. Goh Ying Qiu (NTUC FairPrice Co-operative)
5. Low Lihui (NTUC Foodfare Co-operative)
6. Choo Min Hui (NTUC FairPrice Co-operative)
7. Karuna Kemmu (NTUC FairPrice Co-operative’s Grocery Logistics of Singapore)
8. Rachel Chia Siew Wen (POLWEL Co-operative)
9. Lee Hwee Yan Serene (Seacare Co-operative)
10. Wendy Kirsten Yoong Yuet Shin (Singapore Prison Service Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society)
11. Kharthick Gangatharan (TCC Credit Co-operative)
By Sng Ler Jun
